A 10-YEAR-OLD boy missing overnight in the Debdale area of Gorton has been returned home, while a 77-year-old man, who went missing in the same area, is thought to have been found in Stockport.

A police spokesman said their disappearance was a coincidence.

Dillon Hall from Goredale Avenue, Gorton, had never been missing overnight before. The boy, who suffers from attention deficit disorder, had arrived home safe and well at midday today (Thursday).

A man fitting the description of John Critchley, 77 from Bowling Road in Gorton, has also been found in a confused state in Stockport.

He has been taken to hospital for checks and police are trying to establish whether he is the right man. He suffers from dementia and has difficulties communicating with people.

Last night and in the early hours of this morning police and up to 50 mountain rescue people scoured open land and waterways in Debdale Park, Gorton Cemetery and a nearby golf course.

Garry Rhodes MBE, team leader Bolton Mountain Rescue, said they had been joined by Rossendale, Pendle and Oldham rescue teams.

He said: "We were called out at about 3.30 in the morning to look for the elderly man. As we were en route we were told that by coincidence there was also a 10-year-old boy missing from the same area.

"We used canoes to search the waterways in the park and we have also searched the golf club and cemetery.

"Before we were called in the police had already began to search the area on foot and with the police helicopter."

Debdale Park runs alongside the A57 Hyde Road in Gorton. It has two reservoirs and a boating lake which is used for recreation purposes. It is next door to the Tameside Trail and a large area of farm and open land close to the M60.